THE Scottish Budget must boost education spending and support for students and apprentices, NUS Scotland has urged.

Ahead of the SNP Scottish government publishing its draft Budget on Wednesday, the union has demanded that the £100 million cash-terms cut to colleges and universities last year be reversed and peak fares on ScotRail be axed once again.

NUS Scotland argues that the Scottish government should adopt STUC plans to raise more than £3 billion-a-year extra, more than enough to fund those demands as well as boost financial support and long-term mental health support for struggling students and apprentices across the country.